Mechanism of milking-machines.



R. A. WGGINs. MEGHANISM 0F MILKING MAGHINES.

APPLIUATION FILED APR. 16, 1,909.

Patented Jan. 17, 1911. '4 sHEnTs-sHEET 1.

R. A. WIGGINS. MBGHANISM 0F MILKING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED APB.. 16, 1909.

Patented Jan. 17, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

4 SHEETS-SHEET s.

mentari Jan. 17,1911.

R. A. WIGGINS.

.Quad

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16, 1909.

-MEGHANISM 0F MILKING MACHINES.

w. i 4M, e. M

R. A. WIGGINS. MEGHANISM 0F MILKING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FI'LED APB.. 16, 1909.

Paten'a Jan. 17, 1911..V

4 SHEETS- SHEET 4.

FIGLIB- )IVI/gasses ROBERT ANDREW WIGGINS, 0F PALMERSTON NORTH, NEW ZEALAND.

MECHANISM OF lVlIILKINGr-IDZIACEIIINES.v

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 17, 19,11.

Application filed April 16, 1909. Serial No. 490,834.

resents detail perspective views of thebplate/Y" To all whom 'it 'may concern:

Be it known that l. ROBERT ANDREW TIG- oixs. a subject otl His Majesty the King` ot" (reat Britain and Ireland, residing at Palmerston North, in the Dominion of New Zealand, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism of Milking-Machines. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of milking n'iaehines wherein air pressure is applied to the tents to express milk therefrom, and vacuum employed to retain the cups in position on the teats. According hereto air pressure and a vacuum are alter'- nately applied to teat cups thereby imparting pulsations to the teats, the air pressure beingl reduced to atmospheric pressure belore the air pressure is applied at each pulsation. A saving ot' energy results owing to the air pressure and vacuum being applied in each case when the air in the teat cups is at atmospheric pressure. This 0bject ol the invention etfected by allowing the air to shift at each pulsatioirand thereby break down the air pressure or the vacuum.

A further feature ol the invention is to apply by means of a single pipe, air pressure to the upperpart of the teat cup earlier than to the lower part thereof.

A detailed description ot the mechanism will now be `given by aid olI the accompanying drawings wherciu:-

Figure 1, is a side elevation of the controller, Fig. 2. a sectional plan on line A-A, Fig. l, Fig. 3, a sectional elevation on line B-B. showing in dotted lilies the positions of pipes 25 and 2G and tubes 11 and 12 in relation to the grooves l5 and 19, Fig. 2, Fig. t, a plan ol a valve at one end of its stroke, Fig. 5, a similar plan ot thev valve atthe opposite end of its stroke, Fig. (5, a perspective View of a keeper, Fig. 7 a sectional elevation ot the top of a milk vesseljand ttings, Fig. S, a side elevation ot 'teat cups and junction, Fig. S, a plan ot a teatcup cap, Fig. 10, an end elevation of a teat cup junction, Fig. 11, a sectional elevaon line C-C, Fig. 11, Fig. 1B a sectional elevation, Fig. '14, a sectional plan ot an exhaustvalve. Fig.15,is a sectionalr elevation ot a modilied form of controller, and Fig.

' 1G, is a similar view showing the operative parts in a different position. Fig. 17 rep- 5, disk 10 and disk .13 conveniently separated, the spindle being broken away to permit such separation, the disk 13 being in the position indicated by Fig. L1; Fig. 18 represents a detail perspective View of disk 18 in the position indicated by Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, the pipe 1 is connected to any source 'from which air under pressure is obtained, as for example a vessel into which air is forced by a pump or blower, and the pipe 2 'is in communication with another vessel in which a vacuum is formed. These pipes are conneeted to cocks 3 and et respectively, fixed in holes 11 and 12 passing through a plate and said plate 1() (see Figs. 1 and 2),'said plate 5 being provided with recesses G and 7 wherein washers of rubber 8 and 9 make an airtightI joint between the said plate and a disk 10 which has an internally threaded hole. into which is turned a pointed screw 10, and an integral pin 10b on its top en-I gaging ahole 5 corresponding in diameter to the diameter of said pin in the plate 5.

A disk 'alve 13 mounted upon a spindle 14 passing through the center of the disk 1() and the plate 5 is held in operative position against the disk 10 by a spring in compression between a washer 1G on the spindle 1l and the valve 13; the upper end of the spindle being forked to receive a keeper 17 bearing upon the plate o and adapted to take beneath a pin 1S traversing the fork ot' the spindle. Said disk 1() is fastened on said spindle 1ll by turning the screw l()EL in until it bites into the spindle and prevents the disk from slipping or turning. Said screw is aided' in keeping plate 10 from turning by the pin 10b above referred to. The valve 13 is readily removed by releasing` the keeper from the fork and by Withdrawing the spindle. A jaw 20 projecting trom the circumference or' thcl valve 13 is adapted to engage a detent 21 fixed to a reciprocating shaft 22. The disk 10 is traversed by an -elongated port 23 and the valve 13 vhas a slot 24 corresponding in shape to j the port 23, andhas deep concentric grooves tion of a teat cup, Fig. 12, a sectional plan -the hole 12. The pipe 25 passes to a teat cup junction 27 by which it is divided into four branch pipes 29, one :tor each teat cup.

of the teat cup casing through the hole Each branch pipe 29 is connected to a nozzle 30 integral with or fixed to the side of a teat cup casing 31 and connected lby a large passage-way 32 to a pouch i 1 sur rounding the upper part only of' the flexible lining 34 of the teat cup. The said nozzle 30 communicates with the space between the casing and the part of the lining 34 below the pouch 33 by a small hole 35. Air trom the nozzle thus passes rapidly into the pouch 38 and more slowly into the lower part The exhaust of air from the large passage- Way 32 is sui'licient to allow the pouch 33 to collapse rapidly, but as it is desired also to exhaust the air rapidly 'from the lower part of the teat cup the hole is insufficient. A lateral port 37 is, therefore, provided yand communicates with a valve chamber 3S beloW a non-return valve 3), access to which is obtained by means of a screw cap 40 Figs. 11, land 14).

The pipe 26 (see Fig. 1) connected to a milk vessel. 41 (see Fig. 7) by a nipple -the top of the teat.

42 in which'is located a non-return valve y43, and the interior of the teat cups are connected to the said vessel 41- by means ot branch pipes 44 (see Fig. 8) leading to the junction 45 and by a pipe 4G connecting the junction to a nozzle 47 (see Fig. 7) provided upon the lid 48 of the milk vessel. The flow of milk through this nozzle 47 may y'be' arrested or regulated by means ot a cock 49.

The metal cap 50 (see Fig. 11) of the teat cup is of usual construction for holding the fold of the lining 34 airtight with the casing 31 and on the interior of Athis cap 8 is provided a rubber washer 51 of considerable -thickness and having ay curved inner face 52 for fitting closely against the udder at Athin rim 53 at the termination of the curved face grasps the teat during the operation of milking :ind assists in keeping the teat cup securely in position.

The operation ot' the apparatus is as i'ol- .l0Ws:-Air under pressure is admitted to the pipe 25 through the groove 15 and )ort l23 when the valve 13 is at.the end ot its stroke as shown in Fig.l 4. The air passes through the branch 2t) into the nozzle 3() and passing rapidly througlfthe passage- Way 32 fills the pouch 33 at the top ot' the teat cup: The air passing more slowly seme@ the pipe 25 and the teat cups. The travel of the valve continuing, its slot 24 next communicates with the port 23 (see Fig. 3) allowing the air to escape therethrough from the pouch 33 through the passage-way 32 and from the lower part otl the teat cup through the lateral port 37, lifting the valve 39 and finding its way into the nozzle 30 and branches 29 and pipe 25. The valve traveling still farther, the groove 19 next communicates with the port 23 thus opening communication between the pipe 25 and the pipe 2 thereby establishing communication between the pouch 33 and the lining 34 below the teat cup and vacuum pipe 2. The

withdrawal of the fieXible lining from theteat is thus eected rapidly and effectively.

Referring now to lt`igs. 15 and 1Q, which show a modified form of controller which may be substituted tor the controller shown in Figs. 1 to The air pressure tube is connected to one side and the exhaust pipe 55 to the other side ot a cylinde 5G fitted with a piston 57, which is reciprocated by the compressed air and provided with longitudinal ports t'and 5f). The port 58 is in continuous communication by a hole (30 with a longitudinal groove (31 formed upon the exterior of the piston. The groove (3l is open to the pipe. 55,` so that air under pressure is continuously admitted to the port 5S from the said tube. The port 59 ifin continuous communication by a hole (3i-3 with a slot 64 formed in the side of the cylinder 56, a plate (35 attached to the exhaust pipe 55a covering the slot (54. The port 59 is thus in continuous communication with the exhaust pipe 55a. The port 58 is provided at its ends with internal valve seats (S7 and 68`tittedwith valves (S9 and 70 secured lupon one and the same spindle 7l, and the port ,59 is provided at its ends with external valve seats 78 and 74 fitted-with vvalves 75 and 7C secured upon one and-the saine spindle 77. The spindles 7l and 77 extend beyond their valves lsuiliciently to Contact with the covers 78 and 79 of the cylinder prior to buffers 80 and 81 striking the said covers. The air under pressure passes vtrom the pipe to the port 71 and when the valve 7() is open and the valve G9 closed. the air passes into the lower part of the cylinder. The pressure ot' air keeps the valve Tft upon its seat and the piston is forced upward in the direction shown by the ar'row.' rl`he end ofi the spindle 7l strikes the cover 78 opening the valve 69 and closing the valve 70, thus preventing passage ot' air to the lower part ot the cylinder and allowing compressed air to pass to the upper part of the cylinder. The spindle 77 will also have struck the cover 78 and closed the valve 75 and opened the valve 74. rlhese positions of the valves are shown in Fig. 16. The pressure of air in the upper part ot' the cylinder forces the piston downward to the position shown in Fig. 16, the air below the piston exhausting' through the valve 74 to the pipe The movement et' the piston is reversed by the spindles striking the cover 79. The valves are operated sufficiently early to allow the compressed air to operate as a cushion at the termination ot each stroke, the buffers and 81 being introduced as a safeguard against accidental damage to the valves when the cylinder is empty of compressed air. The piston 5T is provided with a piston rod H5 to which is attached a slide valve. 86 fitting a valve casing ST. This valve has a longitudinal groove and a transverse port 89 communicating with the groove. The vcasing 87 is provided with a pipe 90 communicating with any source ot air under suitable pressure, and corresponds to the pipe l in Fig.

:- 1. pipe 91 upon the said casing communicates with a vessel in which a vacuum is torinedland corresponds to pipe 2 in Fig. 1. A pipe 92 leads to the pipe il() of the teat cups, (see Fig. 11) and corresponds to pipe 25, an independent pipe not shown on the drawings being used in place of pipe '20. The groove 88 is in continuous communicationgwith the pipe 92, and when the valve SG is in the position shown in Fig. v15 compressed air passes from the pipe 90 through the transverse port 89 to the groove 88 and through the pipe 92 and the junction :27 and the nozzle 30 to the teat cups. During the descent ot the said valve 86 by the action of the piston 57, the transverse port 89 opens communication .between the pipe 92 and a port 94 formed in the casing and open to the atmosphere. The pressure in the teat cups is thus reduced to atmospheric pressure. The valve- 86 continuing its descent to the position shown in Fig. 16, communication is established between the pipes 92 and 91 by the transverse port 89, and a vacuum is toi-med in the teat cups, thereby rapidly withdrawing the lining 34 from the teats, as previously described. The piston 57 then returns on its upstroke during which the Aport S9 admits air through the port 94 to the. pipe 92, and destroying the vacuum, brings the air in the teats to atmospheric pressure. At the top of its stroke the valve 8G again admits air under pressure to the t'eat cups. 'lhe compressed air pipe 90 and the vacuum pipe 91 are thus'respectively placed in communication with the pipe 92 when the teat cups are at atmospheric pressure. 'lhe said slot grooves and ports of course constitute air passages through the valve disk andbetwm-n the tubes and other passages leading' to the above mentioned tent-cups, the air supplying` means and the air exhausting means, in order that the said teateups may be put into and out otI colu- Inunieation with the l'ormcr und the latter means in regular order according to the described eper-ation ot the machine.

lVhat I do claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of United States is zl. In apparatus for the purpose indicated, a teat cup eon'lprising; an outer casing, a flexible lining fitting the casing, a pouch surrounding the upper part of the flexible lining, and a nozzle attached tothe casing and having a large passage for admission of air under pressure to the pouch and having a small hole for admittingl air to the flexible liningl and means tor exhausting air from the teal-cups, substantially as set forth.

2. ln apparatus tor the purpose indicated, a teat cup comprising an outer casing, a tlexible lining littingl the casing, a pouch surrouiuling the upper part of the flexible lining, a nozzle attached to the casing and having a small hole eommunicatine with the flexible lining below the pouch, a single tube 'f admitting air under pressure to the nozzle and, means for exhausting the teat cups substantially as set. torth.

il, ln apparatus for the purpose indicated, a teat cup comprising an outer casing, a

surrounding theupper part of thelexible lining, a nozzle' attached 'to the Casing and having a large passage communicating with said pouch and having a `small hole communicating with the tlexible lining belo'w the pouch and a valve in the nozzle allowing the air to exhaust from the flexible lining through a port in the casing, substantially as set forth.

4. In apparatus for the purpose indicated, teat cups, a controller comprising a plate, air pressure supply and acuunrpipes conneeted to the plate, a disk having holes communicating with said pipes and having a port, a pipe forming a communication between the port and the teat-cups, and a rotatable ported valve having a slot and groove whereby the port of the disk is brought alternately into communication with the air pressure supply pipes, the atmosphere, Aand the vacuum pipe, substantially as set forth.

In apparatus for the purpose indicated, a controller comprising a plate, air pressure supply and vacuum pipes connected to the plate, a disk having holes communicating with Said pipes and having a port, a ported valve having a -slot- 24 and two grooves 15. and 19, a central spindle passing through the plate 'disk and valve and upon which the valve is rotatable, and means for rotating the valve, substantiallfyy as set forth.

6. ln apparatus t'or the purpose indicated,

. a controller eo'mpi-ising a plate, air pressure supply and vacuum pipes connected to' the plate, a disk' having holes'communicating with said pipes and having a port., a ported valve having a slijt and two grooves arranged as stated, a forked spindle passing vflexible lining fitting the casing, a pouch 7. In apparatus for the purpose indicated,

teat cups, a controller comprising a plate,

air pressure supply and vacuum pipes connected to the plate, a disk having holes communicating with said pipes and having a port, a ported valve having a slot and grooves', means for rotating the valve, and a pipe forming communication between the interior of the teat cups, and the hole in the disk leading from the Vacuum pipe, substantially as set forth.

8...1 disk-valve provided' with a slot and 'with a pair of grooves curved concentrically with its u'pperside, said valve being also adapted to turn on its axis, in combination with parts in contact with the faces of said vave, means for exhausting air, means for supplying air under pressure, teatfcups of a milking machine, and means of communica tion between said valve' and said air exhausting means, air supplying means and teat-cups respectively, the said grooves and slot being arranged to alternately open and close communication between said teat-cups and air supplying means and between said teat-cups and air exhausting means in regular succession as said valve turns on its axis substantially as set forth.

9. In combination with the teat-cups and air-exhausting devices of a milking machine and additional means for supplying air under pressure thereto, a disk valve adapted to turn on its axis, a part in contact with the upper face of, and fixed in relation to, said disk valve, means of communication between said valve and said air exhausting devices, said air supplying means and said teat-cups respectively, the said disk-valve being provided with a slot and a pair of grooves Icurved concentrically to its axis, the said grooves and slot being arranged to make connection between the said several means of communication in proper succession and to shut off such connections as needed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT ANDREW-WIGGIN S.

Witnesses:

R. FRASER, A. ANDERSON. 

